As the first model designed with significant input from all of the Caterham Group’s specialist business arms, the AeroSeven Concept signals the brand’s intentions in terms of product engineering processes, speed to market, as well as a hint to its styling direction for future models, including the all-new sportscar being developed in conjunction with Renault and due for release in early 2016.

The AeroSeven Concept, which draws heavily on methods used by the F1 team, will be the first ever Caterham model to be fitted with traction control. Thanks to a newly developed Caterham Engine Management System, drivers will be able to enjoy fully-adjustable traction and launch control functionality.

Based on an updated interpretation of the highly acclaimed Seven CSR platform, the carbon-fibre bodied concept vehicle, which will reach 100kph (62.5mph) in under 4 seconds, will initially draw its power from the normally-aspirated, EU6-approved, 240ps (237bhp) engine developed by Caterham Technology & Innovation for the recently launched Caterham Seven 485. Other engines are also being assessed for suitability.

Graham Macdonald, Managing Director of Caterham Cars, said: “Over the coming years, we will be expanding our range of sportscars as we look to meet the differing needs and desires of potential customers – from the lifestyle customer to the ultimate thrill-seeker. The AeroSeven Concept is the first model in that journey.”

Delivery of the production version of the concept model will begin in autumn 2014.

Exterior

It is in the car’s full bodywork styling that the most striking differences to past Caterham products lies.

The stunning design of the two-seater balances function and form to increase downforce while vastly improving the drag coefficient; the new body shape also imparts subtly different handling characteristics to complement the revised chassis.

Using inputs from Caterham F1 Team performance director, John Iley, and the CTI design team, the fundamental shape of the car was created. Ongoing optimisation continues to take place using Computational Fluid Dynamics expertise from the F1 aerodynamic group, in conjunction with circuit and wind tunnel testing.

The AeroSeven Concept incorporates a completely new rollover structure, to aid safety and improve aerodynamic performance and enhance aesthetics.

At each corner, the AeroSeven Concept will sit on Avon’s acclaimed CR500 tyres, the motorsport-inspired performance rubber that is also the OE fit on a number of Caterham’s high performance-orientated Sevens.

Powertrain

Achieving a delicate balance between inspiring performance and stringent EU6 emissions regulations, the 240ps (237bhp) Ford Duratec-based engine which will power the vehicle initially delivers its peak power at 8,500rpm, helping to propel the AeroSeven Concept to 100kph in under 4 seconds.

The engine – which also powers the European-homologated Caterham Seven 485 – is one of the world’s highest revving EU6-compliant engines. The two-litre unit is mated to Caterham’s six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels.

Over the coming months, project engineers will be assessing a number of powerplant options for the final production version.

Dynamics

With expertise drawn from each corner of the Group to develop the bold AeroSeven Concept, the new car features a number of exclusive technologies and attributes not seen on any previous Caterham.

Driver focussed chassis control systems debuting on the AeroSeven Concept include Caterham’s fully variable traction and launch control functions. Caterham is also analysing the feasibility of using Bosch’s race-derived anti-lock braking system.

The Caterham Engine Management System is completely adjustable via steering wheel mounted controls. The system, which can be completely disengaged, has been developed by Cateham Technology and Innovation to enhance the AeroSeven Concept’s performance while giving complete control to the driver.

The car’s default setting is ‘Race’ mode, the reverse of even the most track orientated vehicles. When the steering wheel-mounted button is depressed, ‘Road’ mode is engaged, altering the engine’s character by reducing peak power through a reduced rev limit.

The manufacture and tooling of components for the AeroSeven Concept will be split between Caterham Technology & Innovation in Hingham, Norfolk and Leafield, Oxon, Caterham F1 Team’s base. Production models will be constructed at the Caterham Cars factory in Dartford, UK.

For more information on the AeroSeven Concept, click here to visit the webpage.

Click here to watch the AeroSeven Concept video, which documents the development of the concept.

ABS: Bosch “race-derived” Anti-lock Braking System with full driver adjustment

Wheels and Tyres

Front: 195/45R15 Avon CR500 tyres on 6.5Jx15 alloy wheels

Rear: 245/40R15 Avon CR500 tyres on 9Jx15 alloy wheels

Caterham AeroSeven Concept

The first in line of the next generation of Caterham Cars is here. Enter the AeroSeven Concept.

The company that has manufactured the award-winning Seven for over 40 years is bringing you a new generation of cars, starting with the AeroSeven Concept. Caterham Cars is excited to unveil a new performance concept road car that for the first time combines the skills, expertise and superior technology of the entire Caterham Group. Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI) has worked closely with Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Composites and Caterham Cars to bring a new evolution of the British sportscar to the market.

The AeroSeven Concept demonstrates how yet again Caterham is breaking the boundaries and raising the benchmark in the performance car market. It is stunningly unique and advanced, featuring the introduction of new technology while remaining true to Caterham’s philosophy of delivering accessible fun. The AeroSeven Concept hints a styling direction for future models, including the all-new sportscar being developed in conjunction with Renault that is due for release in early 2016.

The concept, which draws heavily on methods used by the F1 team, will be the first ever Caterham model to be fitted with traction control. Thanks to a newly developed Caterham Engine Management System, drivers will be able to enjoy fully-adjustable traction and launch control functionality.

Based on an updated interpretation of the highly acclaimed Seven CSR platform, the carbon-fibre bodied concept will launch to 100kph (62.5mph) in under four seconds. The engine is a naturally-aspirated, EU6-approved, 240ps (237bhp) engine developed by Caterham Technology & Innovation for the recently launched Caterham Seven 485. It’s one of the world’s highest revving EU6-compliant engines, transferring the power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Over the coming months, project engineers will be assessing a number of powerplant options for the final production version.

ABS: Bosch “race-derived” Anti-lock Braking System with full driver adjustment

Wheels & Tyres

Front: 195/45R15 Avon CR500 tyres on 6.5Jx15 alloy wheels

Rear: 245/40R15 Avon CR500 tyres on 9Jx15 alloy wheels

Caterham AeroSeven Concept

Engine: 2.0-litre Ford Duratec

Max Power (bhp): 237 @ 8,500rpm

Max Torque (lbs ft): 152 @ 6,300rpm

0-60mph: Under 4 seconds

Specific Power Output: 120ps-per-litre

Power-to-weight: Approx. 400ps-per-tonne

CATERHAM PLANS ITS PLACE IN GLOBAL CAR MARKET

Ambitions explained by Caterham Group Chairman, Tony Fernandes

Asia will be a key commercial focus for the brand

Crossover and small cars in the pipeline

A range of sportscars to meet a diverse global market

“We may be a small voice now, but we’re on our way to engineering a decent set of lungs,” said Tony Fernandes, Caterham Group Co-Chairman, as he outlined his ambitions for Caterham Cars ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix (Friday 20th September).

Speaking at the launch of Caterham’s first new ultra-performance model, the AeroSeven Concept, Fernandes was sharing his vision for the brand.

“Caterham will show itself to be a progressive, open and entrepreneurially powered car brand that will deliver and surprise in equal measure.

“It has been a British institution for the last 40 years, and automotive secret in many ways, but in the very near future, the Caterham name will sit proudly on crossovers, city cars as well as a range of sportscars for everyone,” he added.

In the two years since Fernandes and Caterham Group Co-Chairman and business partner, Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, bought Caterham Cars, the brand has expanded to include a growing engineering arm in Caterham Technology & Innovation, a specialist composites materials consultancy, Caterham Composites and the Oxfordshire, England based, Caterham F1 Team and Caterham Racing GP2 team.

Tony Fernandes confirmed that whilst the brand will include mainstream crossovers and small cars, the intention is to also extend its ‘sporting heartbeat’ with a range of accessible sportscars for the lifestyle buyer to the thrill-seeker; a journey it has begun with the new AeroSeven Concept.

Asia will be a key focus for Caterham as it develops a product range to meet the demands of a market both Fernandes and Kamarudin know extremely well.

“Twelve years ago, we were told our plans for AirAsia could not work,” said Fernandes. “Today, AirAsia is the world’s most profitable airline with a growing fleet of over 120 planes servicing 160 routes across 80 cities in 18 countries, carrying over 25m people annually. As proud winner of the title “World’s Best Low Cost Airline” for the past five years, we’re fulfilling our dream that ‘everyone can fly’.”

Fernandes says that the same passion to succeed, and learn from within, is being applied to building the Caterham Cars brand.

“The Joint Venture with Renault to produce an all-new sportscar for both the Alpine and Caterham brands demonstrates our clear intent on doing this right, doing it sensibly, but above all, doing it the Caterham way,” he added.

“And because we’re a flat company, we’re a quicker company. When we say we’re going to do things internally, we do them. We don’t procrastinate and lose momentum through legions of middle-management decision makers, we just do it.

“Add the culture of our F1 team in terms of nimbleness and the discipline to deliver in detail against a ticking clock and we have something very special within Caterham.”

At this stage, Fernandes is unwilling to be drawn on the number of cars Caterham is aiming to sell, explaining: “We’re focused on developing the right products; with the right retail experience, in the right markets, at the right time. The sales will then come.”

The arrival of the AeroSeven Concept brings the number of new models brought to market by Caterham since the turn of the year to four.

After years of underinvestment to its heritage product, the Seven, Caterham launched the 485 to satisfy pent up demand for a higher performance variant across Europe, a new flagship 620R to once again remind every supercar brand that there is nothing to equal the sensation of driving a Seven, and finally, for the Global market, the entry-level, Suzuki powered165.